The new Dali Museum celebrated its first anniversary January 11 with an announcement that the facility generated 370,000 visitors, nearly doubling the number of annual ticket sales from any previous year.

According to Walter Klages of Research Data Services, direct visitor spending totaled $52 million as a result, providing more than $104.5 million to the region’s economy.

This summer, the Dali will begin a massive preservation of its Master Works, an effort that will be conducted by leading conservationists and showcased as an exhibit on the gallery floor.

In the fall, the museum will show the work of avant-garde artist Jeff Koons. A collaboration show next winter with Spain’s Dali Foundation at the Centre Pompidou in France should further expand Dali’s global presence.

The museum’s success was bolstered by over 2,500 international media stories in the past year and popular ongoing programs including a film series, musical performances, workshops and talks. Aside from new series’ like Breakfast with Dali and weekend yoga classes, the geodesic building itself, made entirely of glass panels, remains an architectural draw.

To return to this issue of CVBeat, click here.